A group of armed men broke into a live Ecuador TV studio, threatening staff during a live broadcast on Tuesday, per BBC.

The incident occurred at the TC station in the city of Guayaquil, where the armed group, wearing hoods and carrying guns, interrupted the live feed. Station employees were forced onto the floor before the broadcast abruptly cut out.

The intrusion took place amidst a 60-day state of emergency declared in Ecuador on Monday, prompted by the disappearance of a convicted gang leader, Adolfo Macías, known as "Fito," from his prison cell.

The Ecuador gunmen were captured on the live feed leaving the TC studios, with police arriving about 30 minutes later.

National police units from Quito and Guayaquil were swiftly deployed to the scene.

The country's national police force reported on social media, formerly Twitter, that studio staff had been safely evacuated.

Subsequently, several suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.

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Unsettling Scene Unfolds on Ecuador TV Studio's Live Broadcast

The Ecuador gunmen, clad in balaclavas and predominantly dressed in black, brandished large guns and confronted frightened staff during the live broadcast, raising concerns about the safety of station personnel.

The live feed eventually went offline, leaving uncertainty about potential injuries, Al Jazeera noted.

Some of the armed intruders gestured at the camera, and a voice could be heard shouting, "no police."

External footage showed a heavy police presence outside the Ecuador TV studio in a city that has grappled with escalating violence in recent years, mainly related to narcotrafficking operations.

Alina Manrique, head of news for TC Television, revealed that she had a gun pointed at her during the incident, expressing shock and a desire to leave the country.

Ecuador's national police, deploying specialized units, intervened at the scene, leading to the arrest of 13 suspects.

Images posted by the national police showcased individuals with their hands zip-tied behind their backs, indicating their capture during the intervention at the studio.

Roots of the Crisis and Gang Violence

The crisis unfolded as the leader of the Los Choneros gang, Adolfo Maías, mysteriously vanished from his prison cell, per The Independent.

Authorities, unable to locate him or explain his disappearance, have filed charges against two prison guards as part of the investigation into what is considered a "prisoner's escape."

Los Choneros, linked to Mexican's Sinaloa cartel, is one of the gangs contributing to a surge in violence in Ecuador.

Last year, the gang's involvement was highlighted by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

Although Fito's group had reportedly threatened the politician, authorities have yet to directly implicate them in Villavicencio's murder.

Ecuador faces ongoing challenges with drug trafficking-related violence, with gangs vying for control over routes and territory.

Inside detention facilities, including prisons, at least 400 inmates have died since 2021 due to territorial disputes among gangs.

Experts acknowledge that gang members often exert influence from within prisons, with Macías believed to have maintained control over his group from behind bars.

Ecuador Daniel President Noboa, who assumed office in November, has declared his government's primary objective to be reducing violence in the country, inheriting a significant challenge from the surge in criminal activities.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Footage shows armed gang storming studio live on Ecuadorian TV station - From Guardian News